What and how much we drink on the weekend or at night can undermine all previous weight management efforts and tip the scale in the wrong direction. Below are some lower calorie options- however, never, ever, forget the primary goal of portion control when it comes to anything. Even though a light beer may contain about 100 calories, drinking 3 of them is still an extra 300 calories!

Moderation is defined as no more than 1 alcoholic beverage per day for women and 2 for men.

1 serving=

5 oz wine

12 oz beer

1.5 oz liquor

Keep it simple: the fancier the cocktail, the higher the caloric content. Stick with wine, beer or liquor with diluted mixers, seltzers or no mixers at all. A regular 8 oz margarita is 280 calories.

Drink a non-alcoholic, o calorie, beverage in between such as sparkling water with a twist of lime. Alternating between the two will help decrease overall alcohol consumption.

Watch the calories that go with your alcohol. Our inhibitions go out the window when we drink and we may feel hungrier.

Sip, not guzzle. The faster we drink, the more we drink- so slow it down.

Lower Calorie Drinks:

Champagne- 4 oz is 85 calories

Wine- whether it is white or red, wine is typically around 120 calories in a 5 oz glass. You can further reduce calories by trying a wine spritzer: wine, seltzer or club soda and ice.

Beer: light beer is the best bet calorically.

Lower calories beers:

Amstel Light- 95 calories

Bud Select- 99 calories

Coors Light- 102 calories

Guiness: 125 calories

*Typical draft beers are about 150 calories in a 12 oz serving

Higher Calorie Beers:

Budweiser American Ale: 182 calories

Red Hook ESB: 179 calories

Sierra Nevada: 175 calories

Liquor: per ounce whether it is vodka, rum or gin, is about 100 calories in a 1.5 oz serving (a shot). We can really get into caloric trouble by adding high calorie mixers such as sodas, juices, or syrups. Keep it simple. Try Instead: flavor infused vodka + club soda and ice; dilute your cranberry and vodka with vodka, club soda or sparkling water, splash of cranberry juice and a lime.